Madden NFL 18

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
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  1. Push Square
    Sep 5, 2017
    70
    Though the new Longshot mode is ultimately a disappointment and the gameplay hasn't changed much, Madden NFL 18 is still an excellent pigskin sim despite its lack of competition. Welcoming for newcomers and deeply detailed for die-hards, this year's edition of the long-running franchise is certainly not a Maddening experience.
  2. Trusted Reviews
    Aug 29, 2017
    70
    Madden ‘18 is a solid annual update that continues the franchise’s good form as of late. It doesn’t hurt that Longshot mode is absolutely fantastic, too.
  3. App Trigger
    Aug 17, 2017
    70
    Despite some hiccups with the ambitious new story mode, Madden NFL 18 remains a solid entry in the franchise.
  5. GamesRadar+
    Aug 16, 2017
    70
    Madden 18 shines brightest with its new Longshot mode, but the lack of improvements elsewhere makes this year’s Madden offering an incremental – but still highly-playable – update.
  6. We Got This Covered
    Aug 16, 2017
    70
    Madden NFL 18 doesn't reinvent the sports game narrative, but it does enough to move the chains and inch a little closer toward the end zone.
  7. Game Revolution
    Aug 18, 2017
    60
    As far as adding anything new and of value, Madden NFL 18 is mostly devoid, and for that reason it’s also difficult to recommend when you have just a one-year-old predecessor that will offer the same core experience for half the money.
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  1. Vice
    Aug 22, 2017
    The 'Madden NFL 18' Story Mode Is Better Than It Has Any Right To Be.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best PS4 Game of 2017
60
#60 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017
54
#54 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
3.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 164 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 164
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 164
  3. Negative: 99 out of 164
  1. kp70724
    Aug 28, 2017
    4
    Pros:
    1. First of all, the graphics are amazing. Do yourself a favor and purchase a PS4 Pro (hook that baby up to a 4K TV while you are at    Pros:
    1. First of all, the graphics are amazing. Do yourself a favor and purchase a PS4 Pro (hook that baby up to a 4K TV while you are at it. You will be in awe.)

    2. The game play is MUCH smoother. What I mean by "smoother" is, in Madden 17 I felt completely out of control when running the ball. This year the players seem a little more.... "grounded" if you will. Jukes are much more effective with scat backs (no more coming to a complete stop prior to throwing a joke), and trucking/stiff arms with bigger backs actually works against DBs/smaller defenders.

    3. The 3v3 MUT is sick. I love playing DB in career mode, but it gets a little tedious because the CPU doesn't make mistakes (such as throwing into double coverage), so playing against a user controlled QB is refreshing.

    4. AI blocking is better. Not perfect, but better.

    CONS:

    Before I begin, I wanted to point out (in my humble opinion) it doesn’t matter how good the graphics are, how much effort you put into MUT for financial gain, how the CFM wasn’t even touched (even though YOUR WHOLE ENTIRE FAN BASE WANTED THIS ADDRESSED!!!)), how bad the commentary is, how the players still look like drunk rag dolls in the middle of an epileptic seizure, I could forgive these flaws…… as long as the game play is realistic. After all, that is why we purchase the game, correct? With that being said, here we go:

    1.This year, EA insists that ratings actually matter, so I put their theory to the test. I conducted a fantasy draft with two separate teams.

    For team A, I drafted of all (rated) 90+ defensive lineman, and for team B I drafted all 60-70’s (rated) offensive lineman. For team A, also I drafted highly rated linebackers (Hightower with a 91 overall rating, Levonte David at OLB), and for team B I drafted a mediocre RB/TE/FB combo (I believe it was Kareem Hunt).

    In theory, team A should win in the trenches every...single...time.

    The very first game (everything was CPU controlled, so "user timing" did not play a factor in the outcome) I watched Von Miller (who I changed to a DE) get COMPLETELY blown off the ball on a running play and pushed 10 yards down the field …….by Coby Fleener.

    Mind you, this was simulation mode, where individual ratings are supposed to matter (the ONLY game mode where ratings are paramount to user skill). Von Miller has (don't quote me on the exact ratings) a 97 block shedding rating, 95-97 finesses moves rating, etc. So why in the hell is Coby Fleener, a pass catching tight end with a 50 something run blocking rating, blowing up the MVP and driving him 10 yards down the field?

    Kareem Hunt ended the game with (I kid you not) 140 rushing yards on 17 carries. As a reminder, he was running against a defensive line with all 90+ ratings (as well as linebackers with 85-90 ratings) behind an offensive line with 60-70 ratings.

    So, unfortunately ratings do not seem to matter. I am hoping this gets patched, fixed with sliders, but to me it seems like another broken promise from EA.

    2. DL/OL interaction is so slow. My lord it's frustrating at times. Good luck trying to get your DT to make a tackle behind the line of scrimmage. As a result, there is a positive running play on almost every single carry (a complete 180 from last year's running game, which was almost too difficult).

    3. Subpar QBs are still throwing dimes off their back foot. This goes back to bullet point #1, do ratings really matter?

    4. The CPU AI is useless, you can throw slants against their defense all game and they won't adapt. Non-user controlled players wander around the field with no purpose (especially on defense, where I've seen DBs run away from their coverage WHILE THE BALL IS IN THE AIR, defensive lineman diving at absolutely nothing..taking themselves out of the play, etc).

    I'd recommend watching RyanMoody21's Youtube Channel. He breaks down a tremendous amount of flaws in this year's game.

    I will say this, people are catching on. Trust me fellas, there will be a point in our lifetime where another company makes a legitimate football game, because year after year EA has shown they aren't capable of doing so.

    It's hilarious and almost sad to see just how complacent Tiburon is with mediocrity.    … Full Review »
  2. IstoLast
    Sep 13, 2017
    0
    I created this account to give this game a 0. Game-play wise, nothing really changed from last year. However, they did remove draftI created this account to give this game a 0. Game-play wise, nothing really changed from last year. However, they did remove draft champions being free to play, and made it pay to play through Ultimate team. Note, I only play online. However, every year fans ask for more stuff in franchise mode and every year EA does little to nothing to it and then tries to monetize the game more. The big thing they added this year was a story mode. What a joke. I won't touch that pile of crap game mode for 1 second. Again though, I play online only. That is why draft champions was so fun, and now I cant play it unless I wanna pay an additional like $3-5 for each goddamn game of it. EA is a bloodsucking money hungry machine. Unfortunately every year their sales do well so they continuously keep on the same path of "lets see how we can monetize the game more." I mean FFS its already $60, I'm not putting in any money to Ultimate Team. Screw that, and you remove a good F2P game mode and make it P2P. The only big thing added again, was story mode, no thanks. I wish I didn't pay the $60 every year just for updated rosters, but it keeps me entertained for several weeks throughout the season. At least they didn't screw the actual game-play like they did in madden 25. Jeez that was real garbage too.… Full Review »
  3. Lauthier
    Aug 22, 2017
    6
    The graphics are nice and the commentary is good, but other than that, this game is average at best. I understand they moved to the FrostBiteThe graphics are nice and the commentary is good, but other than that, this game is average at best. I understand they moved to the FrostBite engine this year and they added the Long Shot mode (Story Mode) but it's just lacking. I found myself becoming increasingly more frustrated by not actually being able to play. The whole mode is constant cut scenes with a minor amount of actual game play. I am over half way through the mode and have played two games so far. The rest of the time you essentially watch a movie and you have to press the button quickly on quick time events. The worst part of this mode is you don't even actually make it to the NFL. Really EA? You don't even get to the NFL? So disappointing. And then there is CFM. I am a huge Franchise guy and I love taking my team from nothing to the Super Bowl. That is the primary reason I have purchased every Madden every year since Madden 2003. But the only new addition to CFM this year has been a draft board. I like the draft board, but how is it that the Madden community is still pining for features that we had over TEN YEARS AGO???!!! This is ridiculous! My hope is that this year they were unable to make a bunch of changes because they were forced to switch over to the FrostBite engine and they were forced to put in a story mode, so hopefully next year we can see a bunch of the improvements we want to see.… Full Review »
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